While these companies can offer convenience, it's crucial to vet them thoroughly to avoid any unpleasant surprises like excessive fees. 

It is unpleasant enough that I don't want to expose myself to that again. 

Now I see lot of people ( many on youtube) are suggesting that housing market is progressing towards a recession/ correction/crash and prices are going to fall soon.

Prices actually went up during those years 2-3% while many other markets crashed 50%.

After the crash in 08 he retired, moved back to Oklahoma, and now wants to come out of retirement and start building again.

Seems like an outstanding opportunity for those who see the possibilities, can property evaluate the risk/reward opportunity, and can execute.Every suggestion that I had in my post I believe has large possibilities but because the San Jose ADU lot split rule is already approved, it seems like an almost cannot miss (assuming no RE crash).  

Buyers get spooked easily, plus every year the process gets more complicated with financing, appraisal and inspection issues (which can vary from lender to lender) that could be easily overcome threatening to crash deals without someone experienced in there herding all the "cats" (lol- elements) in the deal to a successful close of escrow.Also most of those comps you are seeing-maybe even all of them- have had a commission and some fees paid by the seller, and the appraisors are aware of that.I hope your home sale goes smoothly.

I heard prices in Austin crashed and investors were impacted heavily, how true is this?

As people are afraid to get into the market thinking they can't make money, or a crash is coming, etc., that is exactly the time to be getting in.

If cash on the sidelines comes into RE-- it's cause there is a crash or a massive correction.